Qigong for high blood pressure   "I lost 29 pounds. My blood pressure dropped form 180/110 to 160/80.I  am very motivated to continue in order to reach the right weight for me" J.E.S, student of Dr. Wang's weight loss qigong   Research studies 30-year follow-up study on hypertensive patients who were divided into a Qigong group and a control group. All patients had been given drug therapy to control blood pressure. The experimental group also practiced Qigong. The mortality rate in the Qigong group was nearly half of the group who did not practice Qigong. The incidence of stroke as well as death due to stroke was half for those who practiced Qigong. In other words, people who did not practice Qigong suffered a stroke or died from stroke at a rate twice that of those who practiced Qigong.   "Researchers also reported that over the 20-year period, blood pressure of the Qigong group stabilized, whereas that of the control group increased. Remarkably, during this period the drug dosage for the Qigong group could be decreased and for 30% of the patients, could be eliminated. However, the drug dosage for the control group had to be increased."   Myung-Suk Lee, Hyun-Ja Lim, Myeong Soo Lee. Impact of Qigong Exercise on Self- Efficacy and Other Cognitive Perceptual Variables in Patients with Essential Hypertension . Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. (2004, August), 10(4): 675- 680. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of practicing Qigong on middle- age subjects with essential hypertension. Impacts on blood pressure, reported self- efficacy, perceived benefit and emotion were observed. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced in members of the Qigong group after eight weeks exercise. Significant improvements in self-efficacy and other cognitive perceptual efficacy variables were also documented in the Qigong group compared to the original situation. This pilot study demonstrates the positive effects of practicing Qigong on controlling blood pressure and enhancing perceptions of self-efficacy.   Myeong Soo Lee, Byung Gi Kim, Hwa Jeong Huh, Hoon Ryu, Ho-Sub Lee and Huntaeg Chung. (2002, May). Effect of Qi-training on blood pressure, heart rate and respiration rate . Clinical Physiology. 20(3): 173. To examine the physiological effects of Korean traditional Qi-training, we investigated the changes in blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates before, during and after ChunDoSunBup Qi-training. Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure and rate- pressure product were significantly decreased during Qi- training. From these results we suggest that CDSB Qi-training has physiological effects that indicate stabilization of the cardiovascular system. Strengthen the Heart with Qi Gong  (review of research)  Michelle Fletcher, B.A "A 4,000-year-old technique may do wonders for heart health. From high blood pressure to cardiac rehabilitation, the ancient Chinese practice of Qi Gong has been proven to strengthen and revitalize the heart. What is Qi Gong? For those unfamiliar with the traditional Chinese medicine technique, Qi Gong is essentially a system involving physical training, philosophy, and preventative and therapeutic health care. The term Qi means breath of life or vital essence, and Gong means self-discipline, work, or achievement. The art itself combines isometrics, isotonics, aerobic conditioning, meditation, and relaxation. When practiced regularly, Qi Gong allows us to gain control over the life force that courses through our bodies. This may sound far-fetched to Western minds, but it is a time-tested technique proven to help a host of problems, including heart problems, depression, detoxification, osteoporosis, cancer, chronic pain, and stress. By examining inward, the practice urges its students to focus inward and “work with life’s energy.” Although there are nearly 5,000 styles of Qi Gong catalogued by the Chinese Government, all forms focus on manipulating life energy in a positive way. Medical Qi Gong involves the combination of breathing exercises and meditation to cultivate and deliberately control energy within the body. The two main techniques of medical Qi Gong work hand-in-hand: breathing exercises help induce a state of meditation and vice versa. In meditative Qi Gong states, cares, worries, and daily stresses wash away. It’s similar to getting a relaxing massage, yet much more effective. The technique replaces stress and anxieties with positive images, increased confidence, and enhanced spirit. Eventually, there are no worries, distractions, or fears. In turn, this stimulates the body’s life force – the circulation of blood and qi (life energy). Several studies have proven Qi Gong’s effectiveness in treating those with high blood pressure and other heart problems. When practiced alongside conventional Western medical treatments, Qi Gong reduces high blood pressure and aids cardiac rehabilitation through improving balance, coordination, and physical activity. A Korean study examined the effects of traditional Qi Gong on blood pressure, respiratory rates, and heart rate. “Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure and rate-pressure product were significantly decreased during Qi-training,” according to the 2000 study. “From these results, we suggest that… Qi-training has psychological effects that indicate stabilization of the cardiovascular system.” A 2006 study conducted at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Science in Uttaranchal, India proved similar results. Researchers compared mental relaxation and slow breathing as adjunctive treatment in patients of essential hypertension by observing their effects on blood pressure and other autonomic parameters like heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature. “Even a single session of mental relaxation or [Qi Gong] can result in a temporary fall in blood pressure.” Doctors in Hong Kong evaluated Qi Gong and progressive relaxation in improving cardiac patients’ quality of life. “Progressive relaxation and Qi Gong exercise improved the quality of life for cardiac patients with reference to certain physiologic and psychological measures. … The Qi Gong group demonstrated greater improvement in psychological measures in addition to reduction in systolic blood pressure.” Finally, a 2005 Italian study examined instances of high blood pressure in those suffering from hypertension: “Slow breathing reduces blood pressure and enhances baroreflex sensitivity in hypertensive patients. These effects appear potentially beneficial in the management of hypertension.” Practicing Qi Gong lowers pulse rate, blood pressure, metabolic rates, and oxygen demand. The sense of serenity Qi Gong activates qi, improves blood circulation, and balances the body’s life energies. After reducing hypertension and blood pressure, Qi Gong goes on to surprise us with more and more benefits to the human body. "